Junior Associate in Management Consulting Review

In the consulting practise I perform 4 lots of 6 month rotations over the 2 years in my higher apprenticeship. The roles will change depending on what you are given by the resourcing team but all will involve the ability to get involved with large teams and engage with individuals within the team to be given tasks. I have performed tasks such as creating project plans to set out progress and what is wanted to be achieved in the team for the future. Helping set up and arrange speakers for meetings for clients and outreach to CEO's of small business' to work with the firm.

I have massively increased my confidence in speaking to key internal and external stakeholders. I have led meetings which also has helped with improving my public speaking. I have improved my ability on Microsoft powerpoint and excel as well as G-Suite products. Other skills I have developed include networking skills and data analytics.

I really enjoy the programme. In my office there are lots of opportunities to join clubs and to do networking outside of work. Things such as bowling, team drinks, tough mudder and many other social events. I am enjoying to programme because of my ability to develop my skills and to earn a wage, avoid uni debt and to have a highly credible firm to back me in my future.

My programme is well structured, I do 4 lots of 6 month rotations enabling me to experience many different areas of consulting within the firm. Allowing me to work with many different teams to expand my network and to do varied roles to keep the work interesting and engaging. The resourcing team are great at assigning suitable roles to each of the apprentice's.

I have a dedicated 'buddy' who helped me initially in joining the firm with any day to day admin tasks I would need to perform e.g. timesheet. I have a career coach who I meet with every 2 weeks to discuss development and we have a yearly performance review.

Our previous training provider at Kaplan was extremely poor and did not give us much assurance of the programme. However we are now having a new 'talent coach' from Kaplan who we hope will be able to provide greater assurance to us. The tutors are very good and supportive with the training.

The qualification gives us a solid background knowledge to business, economics and we will come onto modules on Consulting. Some of the specific theories we learn are applied in Consulting which is useful to not have to have this explained to us. However a lot of the learning is background on business and economics and having done this at A -Level this is not necessary although this would be helpful to lots of people.

There are many extra curricular activities. To name some you can join many sports teams that are advertised through email. There are events you can pay to attend at a cheaper corporate rate such as tough mudder or tickets to events/music concerts. There is a monthly office social in which you pay £2 for 2 drinks tokens in the Birmingham office which allows everyone to get together and network.

Yes

PwC is a great place to work. I feel I have a great starting point to my career with the ability to become an associate and work my way up the firm despite not going to University. I feel the development and opportunities we receive are very beneficial to us.

I would encourage people to look on the PwC website as it contains all the information you need. Especially the 5 core competencies model as this is references a lot in the interview. I would also encourage doing practises of the relevant online psychometric tests to ensure you can pass these.